Canyons and Waterfalls

Introduction
Rio Grande do Sul Brazil
The spectacular mountain scenery, huge canyons and bottomless waterfalls of this region will take your breath away. Imagine the Grand Canyon covered in lush vegetation, cascading waterfalls and thriving biodiversity. Nestled along the southern coast of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, among Brazil's most impressive canyons, the 28,000 nature conservation area where this adventure occurs. This area is renowned for its gigantic canyons, sheltering a type of geological step dug into the mountain by the tectonic movement and by the work of rivers throughout the eras. Different from most canyons in the world, like the Grand Canyon of Arizona or the Fish River Canyon of Namibia, Brazil's canyon country is in a lush green area of rich grassland and huge Araucaria forests.

Over the next few days you will ride along these steep mountains and canyons and the Atlantic coastline. Staying on traditional ranches, you will have the pleasure of sampling typical southern Brazil gaucho culture, including some of the region’s famous culinary delights. In the afternoon you may see the mysterious fogs drift in.

During the ride you will encounter several ecosystems of rare beauty and important biodiversity. The Mata Atlantica runs along the lower portion of the canyons, while fields spread across the plateaus, interspersed in the damp areas by peat bogs, that are rich in moss, lichen and bamboo. Vegetation such as ferns, lilies and bromeliads, sprouts from the slopes. And a curious species the ‘Bigsting Nettle’, with its enormous leaves measuring up to 1.5 meters, attaches itself to the rocks along the slopes.
The whole area was formed from intense volcanic activity that happened millions of years ago. Successive lava hemorrhages created the Planalto Sulbrasileiro, covered by clean fields, forests of araucarias and countless of crystalline rivers.

There are many canyons distributed throughout the region, some of them are very impressive, prevailing where enormous rocky cliffs outline the undulating landscape of the sloping foothills (coxilhas) giving the feeling of surprise and fascination when approaching their edge

The sharp vertical hillsides of basalt, present a coloration of resultants tones of the liquens and of vegetation of herbs and small bushes that alter with the nude rock.
The regional fauna is also varied and includes some rare species such as the lobo-guará (Chrysocyon brachyurus), the suçuarana or puma (Felis concolor), the graxaim-bush and the rural deer- (Ozotocerus bezoarticus). Foxes, skunks, armadillos, wildcats, woodpeckers, hawks and bugio monkeys also make up part of the local fauna.

Canyons and Waterfalls – a surprising Brazil with a cold weather accent and the legitimate gauchos’ traditions; an expedition for peaceful adventurers and an opportunity to live a unique experience.

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a progressive ride where nights are spent in 4 different locations. Our lodging are in fazendas (ranch style) accommodations. All these lodgings have been visited and pre-approved.

Description
Our lodging are in fazenda (ranch style) accommodations. All these lodgings have been visited and pre-approved.

Accommodation Itinerary for 7-day tour - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Pousada Fazenda Potreirinhos
Night 3 & 4: Tio Tonho Farm
Night 5 & 6: Santa Catarina Farm

Accommodation Itinerary for 9-day tour - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Canoas Lodge
Night 2 & 3: Mountain Cabin
Night 4 & 5: Pousada Fazenda Potreirinhos
Night 6 & 7: Tio Tonho Farm
Night 8: Santa Catarina Farm

Canoas Lodge
You are accommodated in small cabins equipped with a bed, a private bathroom, a TV and free Wi-Fi. The cabins are simple but comfortable.

Mountain Cabin
This is a very rustic accommodation surrounded by beautiful nature. Facilities might have to be shared.

Pousada Fazenda Potreirinhos
The fazenda is set in a beautiful environment, by the Rio do Silveira. It offers cozy accommodations with comfortable beds, internet access and private bathrooms. Laundry services are available for a small charge.

Tio Tonho Farm
There are 6 bedrooms, most with their own bathroom. The rooms are simple but comfortable.


Room Occupancy
Single supplement is mandatory if we are unable to find another rider to share the room with you.



Meals
All meals are included with this trip from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on the last day.
Breakfasts and dinners are eaten at the accommodations and lunches are eaten on the trail.

Brazil has a rich cuisine. The country is a mixture of European, Indian, African, and Asian cultures and is reflected in the way the Brazilians cook. Italian and African cuisines have great influence on Brazilian cuisine. Well before Europe spoke about fusion cuisine, Brazil was combining ingredients found from different continents to a new, typical Brazilian cuisine. They also often serve dishes from different countries on one table.
The Brazilian cuisine is very good, varied, and serves many naturally made dishes. The main dishes are mostly rice and beans (Feijão) and sauces, with lots of meat or fish and salads. Each region has its own traditional dishes. Very popular is the Churrasco (Brazilian BBQ).

Soft drinks and beers are included in this trip but guests are welcome to bring their own if they wish.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to all dietary restrictions with prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Guide
Your English speaking guide will be Paulo. Paulo grew up in a family (Junqueira) well know in Brazil for breeding Mangalara horses, so he was surrounded by horses since childhood. In 2006, he decided to travel all around Brazil on horseback. he then decided to travel all around the world to get to know the best horseback riding destinations and learn about different riding techniques and cultures. He loves guiding this trip because he finds that every time, the experience is different.

Itinerary


 Sample Itinerary: 7-day tour- subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Reception at Porto Alegre airport and transfer (approx. 5 hours) to the Ranch near Sao Jose dos Ausentes.
Imagine arriving in southern Brazil, and finding a farm prepared to receive riders with the hospitality and good gastronomy of the gauchos. It is in a place like this that we will spend this night. Dinner and night at Fazenda Potreirinhos, a traditional farm in the municipality of São José dos Ausentes.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Pousada Fazenda Potreirinhos

Day 2: Cachoeirão
After breakfast we will go on horseback to visit Cachoeirão, which is wide with a series of falls, very impressive. Then we go to the “rivers gap”, an interesting and curious situation in which we are in the middle of 2 rivers that follow at different levels. Then we continue with the landscape of undulating fields, which stretch as far as the eye can see. 
~5 hours on horseback
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Pousada Fazenda Potreirinhos

Day 3: Araucarias Forest
We leave after breakfast for our longest day of riding. We will travel through a region of rare beauty, in typical scenarios of Campos de Cima da Serra, which highlight the grandeur of the Araucarias Forest, until we arrive at the Lopes family farm that produces the most famous mountain cheese in southern Brazil. Produced by the family for 3 generations and nationally recognized. Then we continue the ride until Tio Tonho farm, where are we going to spend the next nights. 
~6 hours on horseback
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Tio Tonho Farm

Day 4: Pico do Monte Negro
After breakfast we start to ride for a special moment, the passage through the Pico do Monte Negro, which at 1,403 ms is the highest point in Rio Grande do Sul. At this height, with a horizon of majestic landscapes, you can't help but be taken by a unique feeling of freedom. Lunch weather permitting, a barbecue in the countryside with a spectacular view.
~4-5 hours on horseback
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Tio Tonho Farm

Day 5: Canyons Ride
We leave after breakfast, traveling through the canyons, fields and forests of the region, suddenly interrupted by impressive rocky walls that are up to 1000 meters deep and form a corridor of rocks from the northeast of the state to Santa Catarina. Our lunch will be at a typical farm in the region. Day with about 4 hours on horseback. 
 ~4 hours on horseback
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Santa Catarina Farm

Day 6: Canyons Ride
Full day ride on rolling hills (coxilhas), reaching some of the impressive canyons of the area.
~5 hours on horseback
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Santa Catarina Farm

Day 7: Departure
Departure after breakfast with the destination of Porto Alegre airport (3 hours transfer)
Meals included: Breakfast



Sample Itinerary: 9-day tour - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Transfer from Florianopolis. Imagine arriving in southern Brazil, and finding a farm prepared to receive riders with the hospitality and good gastronomy of the gauchos. It is in a place like this that we will spend this night. Dinner and night at Fazenda Potreirinhos, a traditional farm in the municipality of São José dos Ausentes.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Canoas Lodge in Urubici

Day 2: Ride to Espraiado Canyon
After breakfast, transfer (30 minutes) by car to the corral where horses will already be waiting for the start of the ride towards the edges of the Espraiado canyon. Morning ride with spectacular views. Picnic lunch in the countryside and we continue riding along the edges and altitude fields - between 1600 and 1700 ms of altitude.
After about 5 hours on horseback, we arrive at the mountain refuge which, despite being rustic, offers basic comforts.
~5 hours on horseback
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Mountain Cabin

Day 3: Ride to Campo dos Padres
Wake up very early to be able to see the sunrise on top of a mountain (1700 ms) that is just 15 minutes on horseback from the Refugio. From the top of this mountain, the view of the sunrise is so incredible that it seems impossible to be there at that magical moment. It is quite likely that you will see clouds far below you covering valleys and between some canyons. You will be able to see on the horizon the coast of Santa Catarina, to the south the Serra do Rio do Rastro and to the west the Morro da Boa Vista, the highest point in the state with 1827 ms. Afterwards, you return to the Refugio for breakfast before heading to the famous Campo dos Padres, the last untouched frontier of southern Brazil. An immense mosaic surrounded by mountains, cliffs and canyons where beautiful waterfalls and rivers spring from the Canoas and Itajaí-Açu. It is in this inhospitable and difficult to access location that the highest elevations in the south of the country are located.
The name of the region, Campo dos Padres (priests region) is an allusion to the passage of Jesuit priests who in the 18th century took refuge in the place fleeing the Spanish missions on the occasion of the persecution incited by the Marquis of Pombal. The region holds many legends of treasures that would have been hidden by the Jesuits. After a long and beautiful day of ride, return to the Mountain Refuge where a dinner around the fire awaits. Day with about 6 hours on horseback
~6 hours on horseback
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Mountain Cabin

Day 4: Ride along Canoas River
Ride to the Fruta Fina farm where the horses live. The ride is along the beautiful road that borders the Canoas River and an immense area of environmental preservation. Upon arrival lunch. After lunch, transfer (3 hours) to Fazenda Potreirinhos in Rio Grande do Sul.
Imagine arriving in southern Brazil, and finding a farm prepared to receive riders with the hospitality and good gastronomy of the gauchos. It is in a place like this that we will spend this night. Dinner and night at Fazenda Potreirinhos, a traditional farm in the municipality of São José dos Ausentes.
~3 hours on horseback
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Potreirinhos in Rio Grande do Sul

Day 5: Ride to Cachoeirão
After breakfast we will go on horseback to visit Cachoeirão, which is wide with a series of falls, very impressive. Then we go to the “rivers gap”, an interesting and curious situation in which we are in the middle of 2 rivers that follow at different levels. Then we continue with the landscape of undulating fields, which stretch as far as the eye can see. Dinner and night at Fazenda Potreirinhos.
~5 hours on horseback
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Potreirinhos in Rio Grande do Sul

Day 6: Ride to Araucarias Forest
We leave after breakfast for our longest day of riding. We will travel through a region of rare beauty, in typical scenarios of Campos de Cima da Serra, which highlight the grandeur of the Araucarias Forest, until we arrive at the Lopes family farm that produces the most famous mountain cheese in southern Brazil. Produced by the family for 3 generations and nationally recognized. Then we continue the ride until Tio Tonho farm, where are we going to spend the next nights.
~6 hours on horseback
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Tio Tonho Farm

Day 7: Ride through Pico do Monte Negro
After breakfast we start to ride for a special moment, the passage through the Pico do Monte Negro, which at 1,403 ms is the highest point in Rio Grande do Sul. At this height, with a horizon of majestic landscapes, you can't help but be taken by a unique feeling of freedom. Lunch weather permitting, a barbecue in the countryside with a spectacular view.
~4-5 hours on horseback
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Tio Tonho Farm

Day 8: Canyons Ride
We leave after breakfast, traveling through the canyons, fields and forests of the region, suddenly interrupted by impressive rocky walls that are up to 1000 meters deep and form a corridor of rocks from the northeast of the state to Santa Catarina. Our lunch will be at a typical farm in the region.
~4 hours on horseback
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Santa Catarina Farm

Day 9: Departure
After breakfast transfer to Porto Alegre
Meals included: Breakfast

Note - The itinerary can be changed due to weather conditions and availability on the ranches.

Rates and Dates for Canyons and Waterfalls

Dates Note:
This ride is available any date between March and December (except for the month of July). We need the booking at least 1 month before the date of the ride)

Other Info
Meeting: Salgado Filho International Airport (POA) in Porto Alegre
Airport: Salgado Filho International Airport (POA) in Porto Alegre
Transfer: Salgado Filho International Airport (POA) in Porto Alegre

Climate:
                                            Porto Alegre area